• consumersunion.org - state credit freeze info
• moving.org - find reputable movers
• hsafinder.com - find an HSA
• hsainsider.com - find an HSA
• workingsol.com - work-at-home opportunties
• consumerfed.org - evaluate your life insurance policy

What would you do if you won the lottery? People often muse about how great life would be if they had a sudden windfall of cash or won the lottery. But a story in the New York Times shows that people who end up wealthy usually blow all the cash quickly. Many even end up in bankruptcy. It’s what you do with the money that matters, not the fact that you receive it. The first rule when you have newfound wealth is to preserve the money. You now have a life vest if something goes wrong. Lastly, make sure you change your telephone number or salespeople and scamsters will be calling you every minute.

It’s not even October and retailers are already pushing the holiday season on us. Retailers make most of their money at Christmas time, some making 40 percent of their profits. And, with gas prices up and the economy in flux, retailers are promoting the holiday selling season even earlier. Furthermore, people are concerned about their homes and the value and salability of their homes. So, people are not going to spend as much this season and retailers will have to reduce prices. Electronics may be the only industry that does well this season. People are buying GPS units because they’ve gone below the $300 mark. But other than that, try not to get tempted by items you don’t really need. Create a budget for gifts that includes yourself, and stick to it.